First Competition. What should I expect?

[ck2006]

So I start working with a personal trainer on Tuesday for a competition in November. What should I expect? I am 31 years old and have 4 children. I recently went from 155 to now 136 and plateau. But I am pretty sure the trainer will fix that. I work out 6 days a week, but not really strict, as I have pretty much did my own thing. I am nervous and excited. So if anyone could give me some information on what to expect I would really appreciate it, I can't wait till tuesday. Plus I want to know that the trainer will be giving me the best so I can get the best results.
Thanks!

 

[in2iron_chick]

I would definately do your own research as far as diet and training just to have it in the back of your mind. My first trainer steered me a little wrong about nutrition and I could tell on stage and I lost out in my first show. Afterwards, he was like "yeah, we made some mistakes with your nutrition, but next time, we'll be better." I was really upset about how much money I spent on him and I should have known more about nutrition than I did. I am a personal trainer now and I look back and laugh at some of the stupid shit he had me doing. Honestly, make sure your trainer has experience with competitors because there are some crappy trainers out there. Also, if something hurts and not in a good way........tell him. Don't worry about him thinking your a wuss and can't lift something. Just always let him know if something pulls, aches, or just honestly doesn't feel right. You know your body better than he ever will. I am sure you have done your research and found a kick-ass trainer, so best of luck and keep us posted!!

 

[ck2006]

Thank you very much. The trainer I chose has competed several times, but that also worries me (or should it). But she placed 4th in the competition I will be in, I assume she is at a higher level now.

As far as nutition, and exercise, I have been doing my research and I find a lot on exercise, and it varies for everybody.

However, I haven't found a lot on nutrition except for protein shakes, should she be telling me to take them? I saw shawdow's diet on this website is that pretty much what I will be eating at the beginning?

Thank you for the support. I will keep everybody posted, this website is full of information!

I will give my stats right now and then download a pic on tuesday, (won't be too pretty) but it will be motivating for me.

ABOUT ME!
-31 years old
-four kids (10,9,3,22months)
-one supportive husband (so far, ha ha)
- 5'5
-136 pounds (on a good day)
-chest 34.5
- waist 31
- hips 38.5
-thighs 22

 

[*Bunny*]

Hi! Welcome to EF.

Have you read this or the other sticky's at the top of the forum?

Here is Sassy's Comp One ...
http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394340

Good Luck

 

[ck2006]

Wow that is awesome! Thank you sooo very much! I am putting that one in my favorites, there is so much information, I will look even more closely tonight. And all the links!!!! very cool

Thank you, thank you!

 

[jenscats5]

Here is my competition log: http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=401451&highlight=jenscats+countdown

As someone else posted - I had a problem with the 1st trainer I hired as well...also be aware of your mood changes - mine were erratic at times - which made my hubby pretty unhappy with the competition at times!! LOL

And keep posting here for ideas, support, motivation, etc....

 

[ck2006]

Thank you, I have been dieting since june so I now about mood swings but from reading the diets it is a whole new ball game. My husband is really supportive right now about the whole idea, but I am not too sure how he will feel when the cost start coming in.

I am 24.6% body fat and 5'5 and right now 136 pounds. I don't plan on competing till November, do you think that is plenty of time? I am kinda panicking. I phoned to reschedule with my training, to get in sooner but she is so booked I had to keep my appointment and they said she isn't open again till next week. I want to start the nutrition right away. all she is doing on tuesday is a fitness test. Am I panicing for no reason? Can you tell I am excited, ha ha.

I took a quick look at your journal, wealth of info, I will look more tonight when the kids go to bed.

Thanks!

 

[jenscats5]

CK - you have PLENTY of time.....don't worry about it right now....

Oh and make sure to order your suits about 4 months in advance regardless of what your trainer says!!

 

[nikkita]

You are on time to get prepared for your show in november. I would recommend you to go to other shows during the year, either as participant or just to see. A first show it is like dreaming, but there are lots of factors that you need to take into consideration... from tanning, posing, walking and even staging with other competitors.

Expect that there will be girls who have more time competing and have more muscle maturity, expect that they will have a lot of experience in everything... so take it as a learning experience.

If you focus on your diet and preparation you will be in the top places, that you will earn every day from today till your competition in the gym... in the kitchen... Take the stage as the place to show your muscle progress, therefore practice in order to present it in the best possible way.

Expect stress levels (this you can manage) but above all expect the satisfaction of achieving a desired goal.

You can let me know if you need tips.

 

[treilin]

CK - you have PLENTY of time.....don't worry about it right now....

Oh and make sure to order your suits about 4 months in advance regardless of what your trainer says!!

Thanks for the reminder on that suit thing right now!

 

[ck2006]

To everybody who has posted with information, thank you so very, very, very much. The suit thing, good thing to remember, participating (you mean volunteering right, not actually going on stage) and going to see shows, awesome idea! I know one thing is for sure, I am going to start walking in those heels now! though, I am sure my husband will be happy, ha ha.

I am pretty sure I am going to eat tacos and chips tonight and quite possibly have a beer, considering I know I will be eating way differently come tuesday.

I will be starting a log and posting pics of my progess. After tuesday, I am sure I will have a lot more questions.

Thanks again for all the information and support!

 

[Sassy69]

You have plenty of time -- I'm assuming a figure show? Make sure you know all the federation requirements so you are prepared. With this much time to prepare make sure you that your trainer reviews where you are now & has good suggestions about any parts of your body that are lagging or are great and focus on bringing up the lagging parts & learning how to really present the good parts. Lots of people think just because they leaned out, they can do a competition. The reality is the barriers to entry for figure shows are fairly low and lots of people who have dieted down will do them. But the girls who have spent the time to build up the SHAPE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR will win. This can include building up your shoudlers if you tend to have small shoulders, getting a rock hard ass if you tend to have a baggy ass, tight quads w/ nice teadrops, nice bicep / tricep, the all important 6-pack. So if you have the time, make sure you are doing those things. Look at pix of the winners of the shows in this federation (is it NPC or ?). What do the judges appear to be looking for? And train for those shapes.

The thing about figure is that they aren't going to award points to someone who accomplished a really great weight loss - they are judging for the person who fits the criteria FOR THAT SHOW.

And also spend time to get the girly aspect of it - because it is veryhard to stand out in a line up of a pile of girls when you only have 4 qtr turns in 2 different suits to make yourself stand out. That doens't mean you have to have the glitziest outfits or the biggest hair & makeup - but rather the presentation of quality & confidence on stage, good eye contact w/ judges & appropriate acknowledgement on your call-outs.

Stage fright can be a huge pain in teh ass for your first show & can literallyovershadow all other aspects of work & preparation that you have put in. To that end, if you can find at least one other show near your target date, you might want to do that as well - as a dry run to get past the stage fright part of it. And also to give yourslef a week or two to tighten up anythign that wasn't 100% at the first show. And finally for all the time & money you put into competitoin prep, to get to only go on stage once is sort of not as satisfying as if you get at least a couple chances.

THe biggest thing I can tell you about competition is not to set yourself up to live or die by the one target show you select. Every show you do is a learning experience. And there is always another show. That helps keep things in perspective. Otherwise you put too much emphasis on doing the show & doign well - when you coudl flop completely just because the other girls are more experienced and then feel bad about yourself & eat everything in sight as a result. Not good. OR the show could get cancelled for whatever reason. Or you might not be ready for that show. Very important to keep your expectations in order so you don't lose the gains you made during prep and dont' feel like its a complete letdown if some part or the whole thing doesn't work out.

 

[ck2006]

Thank you, the trainer told me to do bodybuilding for my first show, because of the routine the figure competition has (or is that in the fitness one?), and I am really nervous. She said to do the figure next? Is that a good idea?

Thank you for pointing the strenghs and weakness out. On tuesday she is giving me a fitness test so it will be interesting what she comes up with. I have been going to the gym since september. One week in the gym, one week working out at home (my husband works out of town). My ass being one of the body parts I have to work on, not to mention my thighs, triceps and stomach though I do have lines on the sides now, it just is over shadowed by the bulge in the middle, ha ha. Oh yeah, and some extra skin on the bottom (having three kids) will that go away or is all of this a waste cause it won't. UG

Will I be able to do workouts at home if I buy the proper equipment for the bodybuilding competition?
I have brought my body fat down 6% on my own but is this enough time till November? If She does do nutition but I am not sure if she will give it to me on tuesday. she doesn't give me a diet to follow on tuesday, do I try one on my own?

Ug, I guess that is enough questions, again for now.

Thanks!